Cuz I loves me a glass of milk.

Written on Wednesday, October 26, 2005 by Jessica

When I was in high school (1988-1992), I thought that women didn't change their names anymore when they got married. I based this belief on the fact that so many celebrities keep their names when they get married. My parents never went to weddings, so I never heard the new couple announced as Mr. and Mrs. HisName. And we never arrived at wedding receptions until after dinner, so I never heard the DJ announce the couple when they showed up, either.

I discovered the horrific truth while still in high school when one of my mom's friends got married. My mom was updating her address book, and I asked, "Why did she change her name?" She replied, "Why wouldn't she?" That's when I learned that everyone still changed her name. No one kept her birth name after marriage.

A couple of years later, I read a magazine article that said only one percent of women retained their birth names after marriage and three percent hyphenated. One percent! I'm sure that number didn't count the women who legally kept their names for professional purposes but socially used their husbands' names.

I didn't change my name when I got married. Back in those days, I was pluckier than I am now, full of righteous indignation toward social mores that required me to give up my identity just to get married.

Ten years later, my opinion remains essentially the same, but the emotion attached to it is gone. Furthermore, other complications have arisen.

For one, I never planned to have children. Keeping your name has so many other implications when you have children. For example, people initially assume they must be the children from your first marriage. (A natural assumption, because as I said, everyone changes her name.)

Oh, sure. Ten years ago it wasn't a complication. I had more trend-bucking spunk back then. When my husband asked what we'd do if we ever had kids, I told him that girls would get my last name and boys could have his. But today... I just don't think I have the strength.

Written on Friday, October 21, 2005 by Jessica

I feel so sick. It's all my doing, too. I'm prediabetic (or something like that) and take meds for it. These meds can make you sick, especially if you eat bad foods, like (a totally made-up example, not grounded in reality in any way) ice cream for breakfast or cookies for dinner. How can I be so out of control?

Written on Tuesday, October 11, 2005 by Jessica

Written on Friday, October 07, 2005 by Jessica

We have a two-tiered parking lot at work, and there are parking spaces directly in front of the stairs (both top and bottom). It really pisses me off when people park there, because it makes it so hard to get through. Each day as I sqeeze through, I make no effort to prevent the metal fasteners on my bag from scratching their paint.

Written on Friday, October 07, 2005 by Jessica

Legal First name? Jessica.

Were you named after anyone? My middle name is Anne, but it was supposed to be Anna for my great-grandma. My mom was young, though, and listened to everyone who balked at a two-syllable middle name following a three-syllable first name. (Why didn't anyone balk at the terminal "a" in my first name followed by a beginning "a" in my middle name? Jessica Anne does not roll off the tongue.)

Do you wish on stars? Once in awhile.

When did you last cry? Can't remember. Not recently.

What is your favorite lunch meat? Turkey.

What is your birth date? [removed to help prevent identity theft.

What's your most embarrassing CD? Paula Abdul.

Would you be friends with you? Don't think so.

Do you use sarcasm a lot? Try not to.

What are your nicknames? Jess.

Would you bungee jump? Never ever ever.

Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? No.

Do you think that you are strong? Emotionally or physically? (Doesn't matter, cuz it's "no" to both.)

What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Moose Tracks.

Shoe Size? Usually 8 or 8-1/2.

Red or pink? Red.

What is your least favorite thing about yourself? My inability to make decisions.

Who do you miss most? I've never lost anyone.

What color pants and shoes are you wearing? Blue flannel pajama bottoms (it's jammie day here at work!) and white tennis shoes.

What are you listening to right now? People chattering, servers humming.

What did you eat for breakfast? Slice of peanut butter toast.

If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Blue.

What is the weather like right now? Crisp and clear.

Last person you talked to on the phone? My friend Amy. She's visiting from down state.

The first things you notice about the opposite sex? Package. (I'm kidding. I don't know what I notice.)

Do you like the person who sent this to you? It wasn't sent, but I like the person whose blog I grabbed it from.

Favorite drink? Grape juice.

Hair color? Brown.

Do you wear contacts? No.

Favorite food? Chicken.

Last movie you watched? "The Importance of Being Earnest."

Favorite day of the year? Christmas.

Scary movies or happy endings? Happy endings.

Summer or Winter? Summer.

Hugs or kisses? Hugs.

What is your favorite dessert? Chocolate cake with butter-cream frosting.

Living arrangements? Husband of nine years, no kids.

What books are you reading? Ruth Fielding and Her Great Scenario (Nancy Drew-type book from the twenties).